However poisoning endangered birds of prey remains illegal and police are following up a number of leads and will be asking the community for their help.

Sgt Taylor continued: “Only a couple of years ago we recovered a live pigeon tethered to the ground and covered in poison, as a bait in the same quarry and also a dead Peregrine nearby, so it seems the same person feels they can carry on with this cruel method of removing the birds.”

The poison discovered is a rodenticide used in the legal destruction of mice under controlled and safe methods. It can also have a devastating effect on birds such as the Peregrine Falcon if used illegally.

Sgt Taylor added: “It is very sad that a highly protected and rare bird is being wiped out of North Wales because someone is laying poison indiscriminately for their own gain.

“We are aware of the reasons and methods of poisoning and also the locations of our birds, so we will be working closely with the RSPB and other voluntary societies to put a stop to this practice and catch the offender.”

The police are advising that if any live pigeons are located by members of the public tethered to the ground that they should not touch them, but should call the Rural Crime Team on 101 immediately.